Tag: South River

by Mike Pavlichko

They don’t make ’em like this anymore: Marcus Borden talks about longtime football coaches Dave DeNapoli, Zoran Milich hanging them up

First, there was Zoran Milich stepping down, the only man ever to coach Montgomery High School football. That was back in Janaury, after a quarter century building and running the Cougars’ program.

This week, it was Dunellen’s Dave DeNapoli, who has been the Destroyers’ coach since 1996, stepping down after 29 years at the helm. A lifelong Dunellen resident, DeNapoli played quarterback there, graduating in 1975.

There are few left like these two. While many coaches have been around a long time – like Joe Goerge, who has had great success at places like Woodbridge last year, Franklin, South Brunswick and Dayton, where he completely restarted the program – few grow up, play and coach in the same time.

The last of their breed in our area would be Rich Marchesi, who has won well over 200 games and is the winningest coach in Rams’ history. This upcoming season will be his 29th on the sidelines.

Rich Marchesi and his players on the sideline in an August 28, 2021 game against South Plainfield. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)

We sat down with Central Jersey Sports Radio football analyst Marcus Borden to talk about DeNapoli’s retirement, Zoran Milich stepping aside, and the dedication these longtime coaches have shown to their football programs, their schools, and their communities. Click below to listen:

by Mike Pavlichko

Morales nets 1k, Manville cruises past South River, 72-39, in Crusader College Showcase

The matchup had a good storyline: Manville, with Edryn Morales ten points away from the 1,000 point club, facing the one of the state’s top scorers in South River’s Alex Grospe.

But Grospe injured his ankle against Spotswood Friday night, and was unable to give it a go Saturday afternoon at the Crusader College Showcase at Bound Brook. He’s day-to-day, and shouldn’t miss much time, but his teammates certainly missed him.

For Manville? Morales got his 1,000th point – on a free throw in the first quarter – and the Mustangs sailed past the Rams, 72-39, to improve to 8-3 on the season.

South River dropped to 6-6 with the loss.

Morales finished with 19 for Manville, while Josh D’Ambrosio led all scorers with 22 – including four triples – before his day was done.

Watch the video of Morales’ 1,000th point below, then scroll down for postgame reaction from Morales and Manville head coach Bill Rooney:

Click below for postgame reaction from Manville’s win over South River with senior Edryn Morales and head coach Bill Rooney:

by Mike Pavlichko

Saturday Boys’ Holiday Tourney Roundup: No. 5 Ridge wins third straight Dukiet Classic, No. 7 Hillsborough prevails at Oratory; South River, Watchung Hills, Somerville, Manville also claim hardware

With a big schedule of games Saturday, a number of Central Jersey Sports Radio-area teams played for championships, while others are have finished two of the three legs of their holiday tournament experience.

Here’s a look at Saturday’s results:

Ridge tourney win keeps Red Devils undefeated…

What’s more impressive? The fact that Ridge has won the Whitey Dukiet Classic at Livingston three years running? Or the fact they’re now 6-0 on the season, in mostly dominating fashion?

Maybe it’s both, but that’s where fifth-ranked Ridge stands now after a 66-37 win over the host Lancers Saturday afternoon, to take the tournament title.

Senior Luke Kreitz was leading scorer for the fourth straight game, scoring 15 points, including three treys. But that was matched by Dan Rafanello, whose 15 were a career high for the junior. He had a career best for treys on the night.

Ridge will be back in action Thursday at home against Chatham.

In the consolation game, Pingry topped Morris Knolls, 69-63, to improve to 2-3. They’ll visit Ridge on Tuesday, January 7.

Raiders take Oratory Holiday Tourney crown…

Seventh-ranked Hillsborough won its third straight and improved to 5-1 with a 57-46 win over host Oratory Prep.

Senior Manny Rodriguez was the game’s high scorer with 19 points, while Jack Toth added 13 and Aaron Feath scored 11.

Hillsborough led much of the way, jumping to an 18-8 lead after the first eight minutes; they went into the break up 35-17. The Raiders hit six threes in the game.

Click below to hear Hillsborough coach Tim Palek talk about the game – and the Raiders’ season so far – with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko:

The Raiders are back in action next Saturday, January 4, with a home game against Sparta.

Manville tops Dunellen at the buzzer to win Mike Shello Holiday Tournament…

It was some great small school basketball at Dunellen’s Faber School, as Manville won the Mike Shello Holiday Tournament, taking both their opening round and championship game by a combined two points.

The Mustangs followed up a 42-41 win over North Plainfield Thursday with a 62-61 win over the host Destroyers, behind a team-high 22 points from Edryn Morales. But it was freshman Owen Kenyon who hit the big shot, a three at the buzzer to win it. He finished with 11 points.

Manville is now 4-0 on the season, and will be back in action Friday after the New Year against Bernards.

Click below to hear Manville coach Bill Rooney talk about the win with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko:

Dunellen fell to 2-2 and will host Perth Amboy Magnet the Thursday after New Year’s. Ryan Hutchins had 29 points for the Destroyers, leading all scorers in the losing effort.

The consolation game went to the Canucks, who beat Highland Park, 75-63.

South River wins Middlesex/Shore Tournament…

Alex Grospe had a monster game, dropping a career-high 46 points – with only three treys, but 15 made free throws – in a 79-66 victory over Henry Hudson, to claim the Middlesex/Shore Tournament down in Highlands.

It was the sixth 40-plus point game in Grospe’s high school career; he had five last year. On the season, he’s averaging 33.5, almost three full points higher than last year.

The led 43-26 at halftime, but Henry Hudson climbed back into it, slashing the lead to five at the end of the third, but the Rams pulled away over the final eight minutes.

South River improves to 3-1 and is back in action Monday against Highland Park at 11:30 am.

Keansburg beat South Amboy in the consolation game, 63-34.

Watchung Hills takes Pete Tierney Memorial…

Zack Patetta scored 15 points to lead the Warriors – with KJ West adding 12 and Timmy Robertson chipping in 11 – to a 59-42 win over host Summit in the Pete Tierney Memorial Holiday Tournament title game.

Watchung Hills (3-2) trailed Summit by nine at the half, but rallied in the second, taking a 38-36 lead heading into the fourth quarter, where they outscored the Hilltoppers 21-6.

Watchung Hills is back at it next Saturday in the Coaches vs. Cancer Showcase at Montgomery against Delaware Valley at 6:30 pm.

Millburn was an 86-55 winner over Governor Livingston in the consolation game.

OTHER TOURNAMENT RESULTS:

ALJ Crusader Classic at A.L. Johnson
Metuchen 45, JP Stevens 41
Johnson 53, Bernards 47

Crusader Classic at Bound Brook
Championship: Voorhees 59, Bound Brook 52
Consolation: STEM Civics 68, Whippany Park 62

West Windsor-Plainsboro Holiday Tournament
Championship: Somerville 55, Spotswood, 53
Consolation: Palmyra 64, South Hunterdon 58

LeGrand Holiday Jubilee at Colonia
No. 1 Colonia 49, Scotch Plains-Fanwood 41
Westfield 58, Franklin 44

Joe Silver Holiday Tournament at Hillside
Piscataway 72, College Achieve-Regional 45
Hillside 74, Marion P. Thomas 60

by Mike Pavlichko

South River’s Alex Grospe looking for big things in senior year for experienced Rams

Two years ago, the South River boys’ basketball team had an extraordinary run.

The Greater Middlesex Conference – and the state – took notice when, four games in the season, they beat one of the league’s blue bloods, on their own floor, topping St. Joseph in Metuchen, 74-66.

That team would start the season 11-0 before suffering their first loss. They reached the GMC Tournament semifinals, and went all the way to the Central Jersey Group 2 title game, falling in their own gym by eight to Manasquan.

Current senior Alex Grospe was on that team, as a sophomore, along with his younger brother, Jeremy, and their cousin, Roman Santos. It was a well-balanced group, with players like Lax Rodriguez, Gavin Franco, and the off-the-bench spark of the enthusiastic Kobe Taylor.

A year later, Alex was the focal point of the Rams, scoring 797 points and averaging 30.7 points a game – tops in the state – a year after leading the state in assists. Last year, he led his team in that category, scoring, rebounding, steals and assists.

Now, coming off a 13-15 season, Grospe and company are looking for improvement, and the first goal is to compete with a strong Spotswood club – their arch-rivals – for the GMC’s Gold Division title.

As leadership, Grospe says Edward Herrera – “my best friend” – is right there with him, a real physical player who will make an impact.

But in the end, Grospe says, “All we can really do is focus on ourselves and what we need to do better.”

South River will open its season Friday with a home game against GMC Gold Division foe Middlesex at 5:30 pm.

Click below to hear South River senior Alex Grospe talk about the Rams’ upcoming season with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko:

by Mike Pavlichko

Saturday Big Central Roundup: Rahway nabs big win over Watchung Hills, Governor Livingston wins a shootout, Spotswood keeps playoff hopes alive; South River picks up second win

The three-day weekend of high school football due to Yom Kippur is in the books, with Rahway, Watchung Hills, Spotswood and South River all picking up wins.

Here’s a look at Saturday Week Six action, plus scores from Friday and Thursday nights.

Rahway 14, Watchung Hills 10: Last year, Watchung Hills was playing in the Group 5 playoffs, this year they’re down to four. But the Indians essentially knocked off a Group 5 team in the Warriors Saturday night up in the Somerset Hills.

This game was a tight one, scoreless at the half. Dillon Nunes opened the scoring with a 30-yard field goal in the third quarter before the game opened up in the final 12 minutes.

Ziare Fields gave Rahway its first lead on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Synceir Touissant. But Watchung Hills answered right back as Mason Kelly countered with a one-yard touchdown run.

But Andrew Avent followed it up with a seven-yard touchdown run that proved to be the difference.

Both teams are now 5-2 on the season, as the Indians host New Brunswick (0-7) next Friday night, while Watchung Hills visits Elizabeth (3-4).

Spotswood 34, Dayton 7: The Chargers got two field goals from Gavin Pereira while four other players scored touchdowns en route to a win on their brand-new turf field. Click here to read a recap and see postgame reaction from Marcus Borden with the Chargers, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen.

Governor Livingston 50, Voorhees 46: For the second straight year, the Highlanders dropped a 50-spot on an opponent, edging out the Vikings on a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Kamar McLean with five seconds to go.

This was a wild one with lost of momentum swings. Governor Livingston got the first two scores of the game and led 14-0 after one, but Voorhees scored three straight touchdowns in the second quarter – missing a PAT and a two-point conversion on two of them – to take a 19-14 halftime lead.

They opened the second half scoring to go up 27-14, the biggest deficit GL would face all night, but Jack Dally countered with a nine-yard touchdown run to cut it to six, before Toby Dorr ran in a score from four yards out to make it 33-21.

In the fourth, Lucciano Santamaria ran in a touchdown from ten yards out to get to within five, but Matteo Tramutola answered with his second touchdown of the game to make it 39-28.

The Highlanders would get the next two scores – another nine-yard run from Dally, and an 80-yard sprint by Santamaria – to take their first lead of the second half. It was short-lived as Tramutola scored his third touchdown on a two-yard run to make it 46-43 Voorhees, after which McLean became the hero with his long kick return for six.

Both teams are now 3-4. Governor Livingston hosts No. 4 Bernards (7-0, 21 straight wins vs. the Big Central) Saturday afternoon, while Voorhees travels to Hillside (4-3) Saturday.

South River 20, Brearley 18 (OT): Tied at 12 going into overtime, both teams scored, but it was the Rams who won it, thanks to an Aiden Velez 20-yard touchdown run and another run for the win on a two-point try.

Michael Marchesi – the son of longtime coach Rich Marchesi – and Filipe Granadeiro also scored TDs in regulation for South River, which improved to 2-5 on the season. The Rams host South Plainfield (2-5) next week, while Brearley (0-6) will visit Metuchen (5-2), with both games on Saturday.

Friday Scores

Thursday Scores

by Mike Pavlichko

2024 Big Central Preview: Freedom Gold Division

Our final two divisions to preview in the Big Central Conference are the Freedom Divisions, a pair of six-team groupings including some of the smallest schools in the league.

The Freedom Gold defending champion is Spotswood, which was 8-2 a year ago, but lost a big senior group. North Brunswick transfer Se’mir Tolbert-Brimage will take over at quarterback.

Brearley and Roselle Park are expected to challenge. The Bears were 3-1 in what was a five-team division last year, and the Panthers were 6-5 overall, coming into this year on a three-game winning streak.

Dayton is looking to take a step up, as is South River. And Highland Park is coming into a season off a win for the first time since 2017, as they snapped the state’s longest active losing streak of 51 games in last year’s finale, a win over Point Pleasant Beach.

Click below to hear our preview of the Freedom Gold Division from Big Central Conference Media Day:

North Brunswick
by Marcus Borden

Marcus Borden’s Camp Caravan 2024: Week 1 Notebook

Photo credit: (Marcus Borden)
Photo Credit: (Marcus Borden)

Week One (August 12 -17) of the Caravan was exciting, and with the weather cooling down significantly after several weeks of 90-degree heat for most of July as well as those dreary rainy days of early August!

Monday morning, I kicked off the 2024 preseason at the South River High School campus, which is under construction along Drew Pearson Hall of Fame Way.

The Rams’ senior leadership is excited to show that its off-season work will be rewarded when they host Point Pleasant Beach on Saturday August 31 at noon in a much different looking Bill Denny Stadium.

Four-year starter Michael Marchesi – the head coach’s son, who led the captains’ practices – will play tight end and outside linebacker. Senior Aiden Velez brings the energy on defense as he will make the calls from his middle linebacker position and will also help carry the football as a fullback.

Returning center senior Karl Nielsen will anchor the middle on offense and defense as the center and nose guard. Ryker Stewart returns for his final season at guard and inside linebacker and he is looking forward to bringing back that South River Ram rich tradition.

Monday’s afternoon stop was at Highland Park’s Joe Policastro Stadium, which was recently re-turfed last year, while also adding new lighting.

The Owls are soaring high since their final regular season game win at Point Pleasant Beach, 46-29, ending the program’s 51-game losing streak, at the time, the longest active skid in New Jersey.

Many of those players were underclassmen who now return with the knowledge of how to win by finishing the game.

Multi-talented senior quarterback Markos Hantsoulis showed everyone that he can beat you with his legs and his arm. His ability to escape pressure while on the run and his pinpoint accuracy will pose problems for the opposition. Hantsoulis’ junior cousins Stamatis and Konstantinos will also make a difference on offense and defense.

Senior Zyaire Holland is excited about the season and believes he can make his mark at running back and linebacker. Brian Mahoney, who returns for his final season at guard and linebacker, brings toughness and discipline after a great off-season in the weight room and in summer workouts.

Tuesday’s 6:45 a.m. practice at Bob Demarco Stadium in Old Bridge was non-stop and well-orchestrated with a plethora of talented players separated by offense and defense on either side of the 50-yard line.

Junior quarterback Brody Nugent returns after being inserted into the starting lineup early in the 2023 season. His 2000 plus yards rushing and passing accounted for 18 touchdowns making the Knights excited about this season’s prospects.

With massive 6’4″, 270 lb. returning senior two-way tackle Noah Balbuena opening holes for Nugent and a host of underclassmen with experience, Old Bridge hopes to continue its improvement as they finished the 2023 campaign by winning four of their last six games.

Seniors Zahmir Evans and Munvy Francois return on defense along with at least eleven other underclassmen having played on either side of the ball.

North Brunswick
Photo Credit: (Marcus Borden)

Wednesday the Raiders of North Brunswick were on the field at 9 a.m. with the music playing throughout the session just like it was the day before at Old Bridge.

I have to say, I rather enjoyed the mix of heavy metal, rap, disco and classic rock. However, I didn’t hear any Bad Bunny, Karol G, Anuel, Myke Towers nor Young Miko…¡tú sabes!

North returns a hungry group focused on the team and what they can do together to finally make a successful championship run. Senior QB Al Trevelise said it best when he touted the newly formed Leadership Council and the importance of key words used as reminder how successful teams work with each other.

The Raiders are one of the winningest teams over the last seven years averaging eight wins and two losses a season. With the likes of seniors Trevelise, U of Penn bound speedster Jahir Dawud, linebacker Abdul Kargbo and strong safety Tommy Koroma, the message is clear: focus and finish.

With a physical offensive and defensive line led by junior tackle Ruhan Sriram, and fellow classmate Anthony Walker making his mark on both sides of the ball, North Brunswick will be ready for their opener in Jackson.

Barrons dance Team
Photo Credit: (Marcus Borden)

Thursday’s 9 a.m. start in Woodbridge was a bit more humid with a slight breeze in Nicholas A. Priscoe Stadium. I was welcomed by the Barrons’ Dance Team, which reminded me that Halloween will be cutoff weekend for non-public schools for the playoffs.

Woodbridge’s new head coach, Joe George is playing catch-up as he was hired in May replacing Joe LaSala who is now at Fairleigh Dickinson University as receiver coach.

The well-traveled George is no stranger to the Tri-State area, as he has been successful everywhere he has coached.

The Barrons have a strong core of returning players with the Anderson twins, one of the Big Central Conference’s best passing duos. Derek threw for 1,750 yards and 21 touchdowns four of which landed in the hands of twin brother Bryan.

With massive two-way tackle senior Jancarlos Mena leading the way for fellow classmen Jahmir Beal and Daunte DiFonzo at running back, you can expect Woodbridge’s multiple offense to be solid running and throwing the ball.

Bryan Anderson and Beal will return to the defensive secondary along with Senior Tyler Simkovich who has a nose for the football at inside line backer.

Friday morning had the Caravan pulling up to the Southside of Edison for the Eagles 9 a.m. practice. I toured the campus checking out the field turf baseball stadium and ended up at the grass soccer practice field where an encased field turf “E” was on the small hill near Boulevard of the Eagles. Is that field next?

There were nearly 100 players on the field as the humidity was high and the temperature was already rising as the team did a dynamic warm-up. They quickly transitioned to five stations which emphasized footwork and agility by position.

Seniors Justin Boslet and Gavin Bailey return to anchor the offensive line which has size and potential. Junior tight end Robert Roma was impressive as a blocker and receiver.

Quarterback Anthony Calantoni is back for his final season with a year under his belt, bringing athleticism and big play capability when he threatens the edge with run or pass. Fellow classmate Dedrick Harvey will be on the receiving end of Edison’s play action pass attack while sophomore Shaun Garland will align in the backfield as a blocker or runner alongside senior running back Nyekir Eato.

South Plainfield FB
Photo Credit: (Marcus Borden)

The final stop of the Week 1 Camp Caravan Tour was Saturday morning at South Plainfield. The Tigers were in full pads for the first time this season and were greeted by Mr. Ken Totten and his officiating crew to talk about what the players can expect from the officials when they start scrimmaging in the upcoming week.

The return of a veteran senior class led by quarterback Ryan Balent, center Ryan Rizk and tackle Evan Brown has head coach Bill Hamilton excited for the upcoming season. Of course when you add in junior returning running back Dominic Massaro’s nearly one thousand yards rushing for last year, there is reason for optimism.

Defensively seniors A.J. Perales and Jack Jones are both playmakers at linebacker/defensive end with the duo accounting for 31 tackles for a loss between them last year. Massaro shines on defense too, having registered 85 tackles in 2023.

Borden’s Camp Caravan Week 2 Scrimmage Schedule is as follows:

Below are links to Borden’s Week One coverage:

by Marcus Borden

Marcus Borden’s 2024 GMC/BCC Camp Caravan: South River looks to rebound from winless ’23

Preseason practice for the 2024 high school football season opened Monday across New Jersey, and Central Jersey Sports Radio analyst Marcus Borden has kicked off his 2024 GMC/Big Central Conference Camp Caravan with a visit to South River.

Watch Borden’s full coverage below, including clips from camp, and interviews with head coach Rich Marchesi, and seniors Michael Marchesi (TE/LB), Aiden Velez (FB/LB), Ryker Stewart (G/MLB) and Karl Nielsen (C/NG).

You can now watch all the 2024 Camp Caravan videos on YouTube by clicking this link!

by Mike Pavlichko

South River’s Mike Lepore, Jr., wins 300th game as Rams cruise past Princeton in states tune-up

Tuesday was a mix of emotions for South River baseball coach Mike Lepore, Jr., to say the least.

Lepore, who topped his dad’s school record for wins with his 292nd earlier in the year in a 13-3 win over East Brunswick Magnet in the Autism Awareness Challenge on April 19th, joined the 300-win club Tuesday, with a 12-2 win over Princeton.

That milestone was a bit tempered for Lepore, with the passing of legendary Edison baseball coach Jim Muldowney at the age of 68 early Tuesday morning.

It was Muldowney, then the baseball coach at Middlesex County College, who recruited Lepore to play for him, when no one else would. It jump-started his career, and after his two seasons, Lepore went to Trenton State, where he played for the Division III national championship in 1991.

His longevity and success with the Rams is one of the reasons why it was a nice milestone, but he’s got to move on to bigger and better things. To be specific, Wednesday’s Central Jersey Group 2 opening round playoff game at Carteret, which was moved up a day due to the threat of thunderstorms on Thursday.

In Tuesday’s game, South River (12-11) scored in every inning, getting two in the first and one each in the next two innings before exploding for six in the bottom of the fourth. With an 11-2 lead going into the sixth, the Rams walked it off with a run in the bottom of the inning to induce the ten-run rule.

Starter Brendan Lell got the win, scattering two hits and striking out three in four innings of work. Parker Lane went 3-for-3 – all singles – with three RBIs and a walk to lead the offensive attack. Julius Rosado was two for three with two doubles and a pair of runs batted in, plus two walks.

Click below to hear Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko talk with Mike Lepore, Jr. of South River, the newest member of the 300-win club:

by Mike Pavlichko

Top three seeds in GMCT advance to quarterfinals, as South Plainfield, Woodbridge and Old Bridge pick up wins

In a GMC Tournament that saw three first-round upsets Monday, lower seeds had no such luck against the top three teams in the field.

Top-seed South Plainfield, second-seed Old Bridge and third-seed Woodbridge all won Monday afternoon and evening, and will play in the quarterfinals of the county tournament on Wednesday.

(1) South Plainfield 11, (17) Perth Amboy 1

The Tigers won their eleventh straight game, rolling past the Panthers 11-1. South Plainfield (16-3) led 10-0 after two innings, and each team scored one in the fourth of a five-inning, ten-run rule affair.

Mike Castagna went the distance, throwing just 70 pitches through five, scattering five hits and giving up just a single, solitary unearned run, while striking out nine.

Brandon Bickunas knocked in three runs on a 2-for-3 day with a single and a double, while Dan Kapsch, Jayden Alvarez, Ryan Balent and Steve Sudlack each knocked in a run as well.

South Plainfield will play 8th-seed South Brunswick Wednesday in the GMC Tournament quarterfinals on Field 1 at North Brunswick Community Park, in a game that will be broadcast live on Central Jersey Sports Radio.

The Vikings beat 9th-seed St. Thomas Aquinas Monday 3-2 in 14 innings to advance.

Click below to hear South Plainfield head coach Scott Gleichenhaus talk about the Tigers’ win:

(2) Woodbridge 9, (18) South River 2

The Rams threw their ace Julius Rosado on Saturday in a 4-0 win over 15th-seed JFK in the play-in round, but he’s not just an amazing pitcher; the kid can hit.

He had three of them Monday for South River, but that was nearly all the Rams could muster off Woodbridge ace Eddy Nunez, who went the distance in the Barrons’ 9-2 victory. Nunez allowed four hits – the other off the bat of James Zsorey – struck out eight and walked just one. Only one of the two runs he allowed was earned.

Shawn Kish went 3-for-4 with three singles and two RBIs, while Xavier Diaz also knocked in two.

The Barrons now go on to play 10-seed Sayreville Wednesday in the GMC Tournament quarterfinals at North Brunswick Community Park. That game is scheduled for 7 pm on Field 2. Alec Crouthamel will have coverage on Twitter (@aleccr12) and after the game on cjsportsradio.com.

Click below to hear Woodbridge head coach Mike Monaco talk about the Barrons’ win:

(3) Old Bridge 6, (14) St. Joseph-Metuchen 4

The Knights beat the Falcons for the third time this season, but it was a bit more dramatic than the first two games, 4-0 and 5-0 shutouts in early April.

Old Bridge got five runs in the third and added another in the fifth before St. Joe’s got on the board in the sixth, cutting it to 5-1. The Knights got it back in the bottom of the sixth, and led 6-1 heading to the top of the seventh, where things started to get interesting.

Joe’s got three runs, chasing starter JT Meyer from the game with one out. H allowed one run before Aiden Kipper came in out of the pen, and allowed two more as the Falcons cut it to 6-4. That’s when Donaghue brought in Justin Hascup – a potential starter Wednesday in the quarterfinals – and with second and third and two out, with the go-ahead run at the plate in Danny Internoscia, Hascup induced a ground ball right back to him, throwing to first to close the game out on just five pitchers.

Old Bridge will play 11th-seed North Brunswick in the GMCT quarterfinals on Field 1 at 4 pm Wednesday, in a game that can be heard live on Central Jersey Sports Radio. The Raiders got a no-hitter from Kyle Anderson in a 2-1 road upset over 6th-seed Monroe Monday.

Click below to hear Old Bridge head coach Matt Donaghue talk about the win: